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February, 2001

LOVE CARES MORE FOR OTHERS
 THAN FOR SELF
By Marilyn Conrad

Agape is the Greek word used by New Testament writers to describe God’s love. (John 3:16) Agape indicates a choice to serve God, to love our neighbor, and to accept self without expecting something in return.

Christian love is based on the deliberate choice of the lover rather than the worthiness of the one loved. “Love never gives up, cares more for others than for self, doesn’t want what it doesn’t have, never struts, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always ‘me first,’ doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back but keeps going to the end.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 The Message

The Greek word eros describes self-centered love, including sexual desire and physical craving, and does not appear in the New Testament. Philos, another Greek word used for love, refers to esteem and affection reflected in the concern friends have for each other and is used in the New Testament.

A woman’s love for her husband must be marked with philos or esteem and respect, not just with the unselfish commitment of agape. See Titus 2:4 and Ephesians 5:33.

We all have love, one of the fruits of the Spirit, abiding within us. It is our choice to draw upon this love for our relationships. Because of divorce and separation, most covenant keepers cannot spend Valentine’s Day with our mates. However, we must not let our present situations keep us from enjoying such a special day. Valentine’s Day offers us the perfect opportunity to remind the special people in our lives just how important they are to us and how much we love them.

When my granddaughter was small, we often delivered her valentines to her little friends instead of mailing them. If you have no little ones, how about giving valentines, candy or a bud vase to your co-workers? Or perhaps to your pastor or other special friends?

Covenant Keepers groups could do something together. In California, those in the Irvine group bring valentines with special verses and poems to the meeting and put them in a basket. Each draws one and reads it aloud. They do this in remembrance of their love for the Lord.

Another group of covenant keepers volunteered to serve at a Sweetheart Banquet at their church. They sowed seed for their own marriages by making this time special for other couples.

Show someone you love and appreciate them by taking them out for dinner or having them over for Valentine’s Day cake and coffee. The possibilities are endless when we are willing to bless someone else instead of always expecting others to minister to us.

So this year let Valentine’s Day be a wonderful opportunity to show special people how much we value them. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

TESTIMONY OF A HEALED MARRIAGE
By Lisa Sammons, Covenant Keepers Group Leader

Lisa and husband Jeff were reconciled after she stood for her marriage for 2 ½ years. Last summer at the Covenant Keepers annual Conference in Tulsa the Sammons renewed their wedding vows.

The first scriptures the Lord gave me were 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Jesus had tried years ago to teach me what this means, but I wasn’t in position to learn. Being broken put me in the position.

Next, He gave me Philemon 15, which let me know I was to wait and Jeff would return. Jesus showed me in Ezra 6:22 and in 1 Samuel that a person’s will may not be overridden, but that we had the power, in Him, to work around this obstacle. Hearts and attitudes change through prayer and spiritual warfare.

The Lord taught me about His timing through Sarah and Abraham. Hagar was not sent away and Abraham was not told to listen to Sarah until there was a threat to the covenant promise (Israel).

I knew God, my Father, would stand behind His promise and that all of heaven would fight for me. Other scriptures I stood on were Genesis 31:50, Ruth 2:12, 2 Chronicles 16:9, and 2 Chronicles 33:1-13. The Lord showed me through these verses that He could handle people’s (Jeff’s) sin and rebellion much better than I could ever even try to do!

Here are other scriptures the Lord showed me:

• Psalm 110:2,3—Troops equated to my family.

• Isaiah 9:2—My family.

• Isaiah 33:6—Knowledge was me and wisdom was Jeff—a well-balanced team.

• Isaiah 41:15,16—Mountains were debt, divorce, sickness and separation. I was the threshing sledge—the weapon of warfare He made me become.

• Isaiah 46:13—I quoted and still quote this; it’s posted on my wall!

• Isaiah 51:14

• Isaiah 51:23—I knew we would never be apart again even though Jeff was not home yet.

• Isaiah 54:1-17

• Ezekiel 37:18-28—The Lord spoke this to me on three different occasions to stand on with different instructions of prayer. Verse 18 let me know that once together again, we would be inseparable.

• Colossians 2:14—No divorce!

My life turned to the Lord in realization that I had to have fresh water every day to make it in my stand—fresh words and growth in Him. Jesus was faithful and showed me all the whys, hows, and even sometimes the whens as I grew in patience and love toward Jeff and our opposition.

RETURN MY LOVE

If you only knew the things inside my heart so deep,

I still pray for your salvation and it always makes me weep.

A special love He’s given me for you, I surely know,

Because even to this day that love continues to grow.

Oh, I can stop any time I like, but I would only lose.

You shall always be the one that for me God did choose.

So would you please turn away from all the sin and lies

And let the Holy Spirit come and open up your eyes?

The day draws near when we will be united and set free,

Our hearts and hands joined again, ever more to be.

On that day our lives will shine for other men to see

The hand of an awesome God whose love restoreth thee.

Return, my love, into my arms and God will do the rest,

Because I’ve said I want His best and will not settle for less.

Lord, help me to be patient and wait upon this coming day,

For I will need Your strength to stand and never want to sway.

February 16-18, 2001

Pacific 2001 Retreat - White Rock, BC (30 miles S of Vancouver). Covenant keepers from western Canada and the US Pacific Northwest unite for fellowship, worship, teaching and ministry. This annual event is held in cooperation with Vonnie Hieber, USA NW Regional Director. Contact Gerry Hiebert for registration information.

15th Annual "Families Are Forever Conference

June 29-July 1, 2001 in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA

Farmers everywhere plant seeds with the expectation that they will reap a bounty at harvest time. Compared to what they collect, the amount of seed planted is relatively small. Maybe you can only put aside what seems like a very small amount toward June’s conference. Plant that seed, pray over it, continue to water it with additional contributions, pray some more, and then trust God to provide the harvest you will need. “The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn’t understand how.” Mark 4:27 CEV